We remain deeply concerned by the deadly criminal activities of ‘juvenile-gang’ across the country. According to the latest report of a government agency, around 237 ‘teen gangs’ are active across the country with the highest number of 127 gangs operating in the capital city of Dhaka.
The number of members of these gangs totalled 1,382. The next highest number of these gangs is 57 in Chattogram. There are 316 persons involved in these gangs, according to different national dailies and news agencies’ reports.
Equipped with sophisticated firearms and sharp weapons, the gang members loof around their respective areas, committing various crimes like mugging, extortion and stalking school and college girls, and other females. Most of the members aged between 16 and 19 years blessed by ‘big brothers’ are operating in the capital city of Dhaka, Chattogram and metropolitan cities, district towns, upazila headquarters and even in remote villages.
They are also involved in drug abusing and peddling in their respective localities under the very nose of people’s representatives like members, councilors, chairmen, mayors, upazila chairmen and even lawmakers alongside local administration. No one dares speak against them or check these organised juvenile gang members. And their arrest is almost impossible as they are being used by the local influential quarters to establish supremacy.
The gangsters are involved in running various crimes through social media, which is called ‘social cocaine terrorism. They are also involved in violent and brutal crimes like murder and their delinquency is on the rise at present. The adolescents are getting involved in various criminal activities in recent days forming gangs like Disco Boys, Seven Star, Nine Star and Danger Boys.According to the report, some of the gangs in Uttara are called 9-Star, Power Boys, Bill Boss, 9MM Boys, Sujon Fighter, Castle Boys, Altaf-0, Viper, Tufan and Tri Goal. In Mirpur there is Sumon Gang, Pichchi Babu, Bihari Russel, Bichchu Bahini, Saiful Gang, Babu Rajon, Ripon Gang, Shabbir Gang, Nayan Gang and Mobarak Gang.
The
number of members
of these
gangs totalled 1,382
It would be very regretful if every achievement of the government that is materialised by round-the-clock hard labour goes in vain just because of some of our teenagers’ involvement in crimes and drugs. We think only law enforcers’ cooperation is not enough to stop the teen-gang culture and drug abuse.
The government will also have to devise a comprehensive ways to deal with ‘teen-gang culture’ problems squarely. The guardians should take care of their children to know what they are doing so that they would have no scope to be involved in teenage gangs.
We feel the ‘combing operation’ is necessary to pull the reins of juvenile gang culture right now. The lawmakers, senior leaders and local representatives, and local administration have to address this burning issue unitedly and immediately.Apart from the government and guardians, we all have to save our young generation from all sorts of crimes and drug abuse by waging all kinds of movements along with creating a social resistance; otherwise we will not be able to build a beautiful country.
We have noticed that many teenagers stay out of their respective houses not only after evening but also till late night. The guardians should not allow their teenage children to stay outside after dusk.
It is deeply worrying that at least 35 boys were killed by different juvenile gangs in the city in the last few years. Apart from the capital Dhaka, this similar grim scenario also prevails in all metropolitan cities, district towns, upazila headquarters and even remote villages of the country.
A “combing operation” must be launched across the country soon to curb juvenile crimes. Besides, those who are transforming teenagers into gangs to serve their purpose should not be spared.
